"To reduce tensions, we need above all immediate steps of the Georgian side to implement the decisions of the Joint Control Commission," said the first deputy minister. "Moscow is hopeful that common sense will prevail. We should urgently sit down at the negotiating table and address the arising problems peacefully. The Joint Control Commission is expected to play a significant role in this process," Loshchinin noted.
He recalled that according to the commission's decisions, the Georgian side had to immediately withdraw its reinforcements from the Joint Control Commission's peacekeeping zone. The sides are not supposed to deploy any un-co-ordinated posts in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone.
"However, the Russian side has to state that the achieved agreements are not implemented and that the situation around South Ossetia is far from being defused, but, on the contrary, tends to aggravate," he said.
As for Mikhail Saakashvili's intention of renouncing the Dagomys agreements, Loshchinin noted, "the Georgian side's statement about unilateral withdrawal from this agreement would violate international law and also, if implemented, breach international obligations of Georgia which is a party to the Vienna Convention."
When asked about the importance of the referendum held on January 19, 1992 in South Ossetia, when 98% of respondents favoured reunification with Russia, Loshchinin pointed out the extreme complexity of this problem. "Nobody can deprive people of the right to advocate this or other form of existence. At the same time, Russia has international obligations. We are committed to international law, including territorial integrity. I am only convinced that inthis crisis situation, Russia cannot remain indifferent when security, rights and interests of Russian citizens living in South Ossetia are in danger.
